Kennedy-Fraser, Marjorie (1857–1930)
Kennedy-Fraser, Marjorie (1857–1930)
Scottish singer. Name variations: Marjorie Kennedy. Born 1857 in Perth, Scotland; died in 1930 in Scotland; dau. of David Kennedy (singer); trained with father; m. A.J. Fraser; children: Patuffa Fraser.
Collector, arranger and singer of Gaelic songs, in particular Hebridean folksongs, started studying Gaelic music (1882); took lessons in Gaelic language and developed keen interest in music of Hebrides, traveling to islands to record and write down songs of declining populations; arranged songs for voice, piano and sometimes harp; published Songs of the Hebrides which presents 170 traditional songs in 3 volumes (1907, 1917, 1921) and later a 4th; traveled widely, giving lectures and recitals; helped Sir Granville Ransome Bantock with 2-act opera The Seal Woman (1924).